Music of Tortuga

On a cold gloomy morning came upon we a port
our spirits were low and our supplies were short.
Storm had just ended leaving need for repair
when we heard the sweet music drifting up through the air.

​Well our hearts warmed with hope when we saw the dim light
that shown through the fog like the stars in the night
Then came a call from the crow’s nest above,
“Me lads this be the port Tortuga!”

Now a ship of the fleet would be not welcome here
so we cut some dark canvas we’d stowed with the gear
and with some white washing that we had aboard
we painted a visage of skull and crossed sword.

When the gangplank hit dock we let out a cheer
our thoughts turned to women to food and to beer.
We ran for the taverns like children to faire
“Me lads welcome the port Tortuga!”

We ate, we drank, we danced and sang
me boys sing “Tu-ra-lu-ra”
The tankards clanked and the headboards banged
to the music of Tortuga.

And so by the time that the sun it went down
we was all good and drunk and were stumbling around.
Wide swung the door and our captain walked in
he looked at us all and he said with a grin,

“Such a sorry lot I never did see
you call yourselves sailors you’re no good to me”
“Well sir me captain this port it ain’t Rome
No sir this be the port Tortuga!”

We ate we drank we danced and sang
me boys sing “Tu-ra-lu-ra”
The tankards clanked and the headboards banged
to the music of Tortuga.
​
And so for a fortnight we worked all day long
and spent our nights drinking with women and song.
Traded some cargo for rigging and nails
and cut some clean canvas to patch up our sails.

On the night that we set out for the fleet of our queen
and every night since when I lay down to dream
out in the darkness I swear I can hear
that sweet music of Tortuga.

We ate we drank we danced and sang
me boys sing “Tu-ra-lu-ra”
The tankards clanked and the headboards banged
to the music of Tortuga